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Set Blackout Dates for Action Plans

Prevent emails and texts from sending on specific dates by using blackout settings for fully automated and traditional action plans.

 

Why This Feature Matters

 

 

  • Avoid sending marketing messages on holidays or sensitive dates

  • Maintain a professional and respectful communication cadence

  • Automatically delays auto-executing action plan messages without skipping them

  • Provides full control over outbound communications on chosen dates

 

 

 

 

Step-by-Step Instructions

 

 

1. Access Blackout Date Settings

 

  • Go to LEADS → Action Plans → Action Plan Settings

  • Scroll to the Blackout Dates section

 

 

2. Add a New Blackout Date

 

  • Click + Add New Date

  • Enter a name for the blackout date

  • Select the month and day

  • Click Save to activate it immediately

 

 

3. Manage “System” Blackout Dates

 

  • Preloaded dates (e.g., national holidays) are called System blackout dates

  • Toggle ON/OFF to activate or deactivate them for your account

 

 

4. Manage “Custom” Blackout Dates

 

  • Custom blackout dates are created manually

  • You can Edit or Delete any custom blackout date directly in the settings

 

 

5. Understand Regional Holiday Defaults

 

  • U.S.-based clients will see U.S. holidays

  • Canadian clients will see Canada-specific holidays

  • Shared holidays like New Year’s Day appear for all users

  • “Rolling” holidays (like Thanksgiving) update each year automatically

 

 

 

 

Best Practices

 

 

  • Use blackout dates for major holidays, long weekends, or local observances

  • Review and update blackout dates annually to reflect your business needs

  • Combine blackout dates with other communication best practices (like avoiding early-morning sends)

  • Double-check auto-execute settings in traditional action plans to ensure blackout compliance

 

 

 

 

Troubleshooting Common Issues

 

 

Issue: An action plan message sent on a blackout date

Solution: Ensure the message is part of a fully automated plan or a traditional plan set to auto-execute. Other tools like saved searches or market reports are not covered.

 

Issue: A holiday didn’t trigger a blackout

Solution: Check if the holiday is toggled on in the System Blackout Dates list or manually add it as a custom date.

 

 

 

FAQs

 

 

Q: Do blackout dates stop all emails in Sierra?

A: No. They apply only to fully automated action plans and auto-executing emails/texts in traditional action plans.

 

Q: Are voicemail drops paused on blackout dates?

A: Yes, if they are part of a fully automated plan. Manually triggered voicemail drops are not affected.

 

Q: Will saved search alerts or market reports be paused?

A: No. Blackout dates do not apply to saved searches, drip campaigns, or market reports.